The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1887-05-19
FAMOUS NORTH CAROLINIANS
SOME EMINENT MEN NORTH CAL r.
OLINA HAS PRODUCED.

"A wv 4NV1I Of1 N ANA
SOME EMINENT MEN NORTH CAR.
OLINA HAS PRODUCED.
John Randolph Said that Nathaniel Ma
con was the Wisest and Best Man He
Ever Knew.
Especial Cor. STATE CHRoNICLE.l
North Carolina has produced so many
great men, it is difficult to tell which one
is the greatest. If Nathaniel Macon was
not THE greatest, he was certainly one of
that number. He was truly North Carolin
ian. He was born, reared, lived in and serv-
ed North Carolina faithfully. He was born
in Warren county in 1857. In youth he
was diligent, had an inquiring mind and
was independent in thought and action.
He was student at Princeton College
when the Revolution took place and the
trouble from this caused the halls of sci
ence to be closed, and Mr.. Macon returned
home, volunteered in the service of his
country and fought bravely, and like the
great Washington, never took any pay for
his services from his suffering country.
While in the army he was elected to the
Legislature, and it was with much reluc-
tance he left the army to take his seat in
the Legislature of North Carolina. He
served many years in this body.
About this time, like most other men,
he sought companion to divide his joys
and sorrows, and in this he was not with
out a rival; for it is stated he met his rival
at the house of the fair one and proposed
to play game Of cards for the hand of
the lady. In the game Mr.. Macon lost,
but raising his hands and his eyes beam
ing with affection said: Hannah, l have
lost you fairly, but love is superior to for
tune | cannot give you up. l love you
yet" This frankness to his opponent, Sc
cured him the hand of the lady whose
maiden name was Miss Hannah Plummer,
who was perhaps some relation to Hon. K.
P. Battle the President of the University
After marriage be devoted himself to
farming, but a man of such intellect could
not remain in retirement; so IN 1871 he
was elected to COnS reSS SucceSSlvely till
1915, when he was elected United States
Senator and served till 1928. In 1924 he
received pa electoral votes for Vice-Presi-
dent of the United States. For three years
he was President pro tenn of the Senate.
He was the first North Carollnlan who was
ever elected Speaker of the House of Rep
resentatives of Congress. During all of
his career he was uninfuenced by parties,
and unmoved by persuasion from any
quarter, and he Was regarded as one OF
the safest depositaries of popular power
offices only from their hands He would
not accept any appointment from Con-
gress. He never used any arts of the dem
agogue to secure his election. Changes
have taken place since his time. His course
in Congress was governed by the principle
that the power should remain with the
people. and for the government to protect
the people in their rights, liberties and
lives, and Do NO MORE. During his forty
years he served in Congress, it is said, no
ten members gave as many negative votes
He was once told by an intimate friend,
that if he should happen to be drowned,
ne would not look down the current for
his body, but up the stream
John Randolph said, ''that Mr.. Macon
was the wisest and best man he ever
knew" and Mr.. jefferson said that when
Nathaniel Macon died the last of the Ro
mans of our Republic would have departed.
Mr.. Macon rarely INDUCED III wit, but
when he did, it always produced mirth.
Once in an election between the Demo
Gratis and Wings. the latter were unsuc-
cessful which was not expected. The
Electoral College had voted and adjourned
to Gov. Spaight's Office, and the topic of
conversation was the success of the Demo
cratic party. Some gave one reason, and
some another Finally Mr. Macon, with
= slllllc lilS III lIS eeoC, SalNi iiC Couib
tell the reason why the Whig ticket did
not carry the State. He paused-every
one expected to hear something worthy of
remembrance. Mr.. Macon said, The real
reason why the Whig ticket was not elected
IT DID NOT GET ENOUGH OF VOTES"
In viewing his character in any light, it
is worthy of our highest admiration, con
slant study and imitation. ''In the purity
of his morals, scandal was deprived of its
venom; and by the sincerity Of his patriot
ism, party spirit was awed into respect
and veneration."
His fame belongs to North Carolina
She is proud of his reputation, and his
name is inscribed in the mountain tops of
one of her beautiful counties. Long may
his character and name be cherished as a
source of pride and emulation. He selec
ted his own burial place many years before
he died. He paid the physicians their fee
himself before he died, and had his coffin
made and ordered it to be paid for before
it should be used. He ordered a parcel
of rock to be put on his grave to keep the
cattle from molesting it. He died on June
80, 1887, and was buried On the place he
chose ''and there he sleeps till the resur-
rection of the just.
They carved not a line, they raised not a
stone,
But left him alone in his glory